EAST GREENBUSH -- In commemoration of past and present members of the armed forces and their sacrifice, the American Legion Melvin Roads Post 1231 along Columbia Turnpike held a ceremony Sunday marking Veterans Day, as other posts and veterans organizations did throughout the nation.

After a posting of the colors, and a prayer from B. Robert-Francis Mat- hews, post chaplain, Post Commander Patrick Val- lee, gave a few words to the 100 or so gathered, including post members, and the local American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders.

"On this day, Veterans Day, we are commemorating the services of veterans of all wars. We remember that our men and women set aside their civilian lives to serve our nation's cause: defending the freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage," said Vallee. "We will never forget those who did not come home, who made the ultimate sacrifice, and who lay in hollow ground in the United States and in other parts of the world. We will never forget them. May they rest in peace."

First known as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I, the day was renamed in the wake of World War II as a day to honor veterans of all wars. It is also a day for civilians to try to understand the sacrifice made for them by the military, said Vallee.

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"The civilians, ofttimes, don't realize what these guys and young women have gone through in order to keep the liberties that this great country of ours has," said Vallee, a Korean War veteran.

The post, named after World War I veteran Melvin Roads, is one of the largest posts in Rensselaer County, with 400 to 500 members. However, it is suffering from a drop in membership, as has befallen others in recent years. The cause is bi-fold: the numbers of those who joined after World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are slowly dwindling, and those who are returning from active duty, many from Iraq and Afghanistan, are not joining in the same numbers, according to Tony Rossello, a member of the post's Board of Directors, and his wife, Joan, both of Clinton Heights.

"We have over 400 some odd members, but if we have 12 that will work bingo and come to the meetings it's a lot," Rossello said.

"They're probably trying to catch up on their lives," he continued. "They've got to get back to their jobs, and if they have children -- that's tough. Children today, if they get active, which a lot of them do, (make it such that the parents) don't have the time (to join) anymore."

Rossello's wife, Joan, noted that it was the "thing to do" after veterans returned from World War II, Korea, or Vietnam.

Despite this low enrollment, the post and especially the auxiliary tries to reach out to all local veterans and their families, both those in need of assistance and not, to establish connections. Rossello encouraged veterans and their families who have not contacted the post to do so, or to contact one of the many other local veterans organizations, especially veterans of recent wars.

Each post provides not only an emotional support network of people who have experienced war, but also a support network for their families, and access and knowledge of benefits, among other services.

"Join an American Legion, that's where all the people that can help you, work with you, and give you whatever you need," Rossello encouraged.

The Melvin Roads Post can be contacted at 462-7006, and the Office of Veterans Affairs from Rensselaer County can be contacted at 270-2760.